Concrete garbage can enclosure

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated portable open-top stall-like enclosure expressly designed for permanently erected use on a plot of one&#39;&#39;s backyard adjacent an edge of a back door stoop or patio surface and which serves to accessibly support and protectively shield outdoors garbage and trash cans. It is constructed of high strength reinforced concrete. It is expected to meet its greatest demand for use in currently used housing projects where closely grouped families normally use two or more lid-covered cans. Upper notched edge portions of two of the walls are provided with embedded Jshaped eyebolts for use by workmen to attach hooks for lifting, lowering and handling. When the enclosure is finally set in place, the then available eyes serve to anchor the ends of an optionally useable lightweight security chain.

United States m1 ani [72] Inventors George L. Sedwiclt, Jr.

227 1st St; Leo K. O'Neil, 109 Delaware Drive, both 01 Butler, Pa. 16001 [21] Appl. No. 856,041 [22] Filed Sept. 8, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [54] CONCRETE GARBAGE CAN ENCLQSIUIRE 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. C1 52/79, 52/125,52/127 [51] lnt.C1 E0 11! 1/12 [50] FieldofSearch 52/79, 173, 294, 124, 125

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,772,560 12/1956 Neptune 52/125 X 2,952,922 9/1960 Wenzl 52/79 X 3,149,187 9/1964 Wood 52/79 X Primary Examiner--Alfred C. Perham Assistant lixmnimer-5am D. Burke mlomeys fllarence Av O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson AhSllRAC'll": A prefabricated portable open-top stall-like enclosure expressly designed for permanently erected use on a plot of ones backyard adjacent an edge of a back door stoop or patio surface and which serves to accessibly support and protectively shield outdoors garbage and trash cans. it is constructed of high strength reinforced concrete. It is expected to meet its greatest demand for use in currently used housing projects where closely grouped families normally use two or more lid-covered cans, Upper notched edge portions of two of the walls are provided with embedded J-shaped eyebolts for use by workmen to attach hooks for lifting, lowering and handling. When the enclosure is finally set in place, the then available eyes serve to anchor the ends of an optionally useable lightweight security chain.

l/d/ag Wall CONCRETE GARBAGE CAN ENCLOSURE This invention relates to a reinforced concrete or an equivalent enclosure for out-of-doors lidcovered trash and garbage cans and has to do, more particularly, with a prefabricated stall-like shield having a horizontal bottom wall and integral upstanding vertical walls which are oriented and arranged to effectually encompass at least two conventionaltype cans and to permit free access for house occupants and local service collectors.

The general object of the invention is to enable the users of trash and garbage cans to cope with the problem of handling unsightly cans. Use of the herein disclosed enclosure is expected to meet its recognized demand for backyard use in housing projects where closely grouped families are called upon to use two or more outdoors cans. To the ends desired the enclosure can be and preferably is constructed in either a left-hand or right-hand module, the open entrance thereof facing the rear apartment door that it serves.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention the enclosure is characterized by a horizontal bottom wall, at least two opposed vertical end walls and an intervening'front wall, one end wall being of a width to define an entrance. One marginal edge of the bottom wall and a flush edge of one end wall is placed directly against the building wall and the bottom wall rests on a stone base or an equivalent prepared foundation. it is within the purview of the concept that these prefabricated units can be placed back to back and serve two closely spaced rear apartment doors. Appearance of the units is commensurate with adjoining block or brick construction of buildings and, in general, will enhance the appearance of crowded backyards. Keeping in mind that pickup service in many housing areas is sometimes haphazardly scheduled, and by using the herein revealed enclosure more desirable and helpful play areas, especially for children, will be available.

Briefly, the herein disclosed enclosure lends itself to feasible use on a small plot of ground adjacent a backdoor stoop and a cooperable surface portion of the aforementioned building wall. It can be situated in a locale near the marginal edge of the stoop or patio with which it is cooperable. It is expressly designed and adapted to support and shield insertable and removable garbage and trash cans, for example the type wherein the can has a cover with a customary handgrip and the can has diametrically opposite side handles. The preferred unit embodies a horizontal bottom wall of an area to be seated and supportively anchored atop a stone or an appropriately prepared foundation. The unit also embodies first, second and third vertical walls. The first wall constitutes an end wall and has a vertical abutment edge which is adapted to confront and abut an area of the aforementioned surface portion of the coacting vertical building wall. That marginal edge of the bottom wall which is adjacent the building wall is in a plane flush with the plane of the vertical abutment edge of the aforementioned first wall. The second companion wall constitutes a front wall. The third wall also constitutes an end wall and it is opposite the first end wall and is of a width appreciably less than the width of the first end wall and has a vertical edge which terminates short of the vertical abutment edge of the first wall and defines an entrance-exit opening permitting free access to the can storing space.

Stated more explicitly, the upper edge portions of the two end walls are provided with upwardly opening notches. In addition, each notched portion has associated therewith an eyebolt, more particularly, a .l-shaped bolt wherein the J- shaped portion is embedded in the concrete and the eye is accessibly situated within the confines of the associated notch. These eyebolts are primarily provided for use by workmen in that they permit the attachment thereto of hooks (not shown).

for lifting, handling and lowering of the enclosure during transportation and while and until it has been correctly installed atop the aforementioned foundation and is finally set in place and positioned for use. After the enclosure or unit has been adequately and acceptably installed, a light security chain can be temporarily threaded through both the can handles and lid handgrips. Thus, theft of the chained canscan be virtually prevented. 1

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside: in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein the like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a fragmentary portion of a rear brick or equivalent building wall, a backyard door and stoop and, to the left thereof the embedded and anchored can-storing enclosure constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the manner in which it can be used.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical'sectional view with one of the .cans and a portion of the light security chain illustrated in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking at the side of the enclosure which in use provides the aforementioned entrance-exit .opening, this view showing a portion broken away to illustrate the reinforcing wire means, and also showing the optionally use able security chain.

And FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken approximately on the plane of the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3, thechain omitted.

The stall or enclosure is such in construction and capability that it provides a confined space for retention and protective shielding of garbage and trash cans of the conventional type illustrated in FIG. l. The enclosure or stall can be made to accommodate two or more cans and perhaps miscellaneous containers such as small cardboard boxes and the like (not shown). The enclosure is prefabricated, portable and is such that it can be shipped, transported, picked up, handled and installed in a self-evident manner. It can be, and preferably is of one-piece form and can be made from moldable material other than concrete. Ordinarily, however, it is made of high strength concrete which is stabilized in the manner illustrated. The horizontal generally rectangular bottom wall is denoted by the numeral 6 and is provided along one marginal edge with an integral upstanding so-called first vertical wall 10 also designated as an end wall and having an upper horizontal edge 12 and a vertical edge 14 which is here designated as an abutment edge in that it is intended to reside flatwise against a limited areal portion of the building wall .A as shown in FIG. I. The companion front vertical wall is denoted at 16 and is integrally joined with the wall 10 and bottom wall 6 as shown in the views of the drawing. The front wall 16 is also designated as a second wall for purposes of definitive description here. The third wall is denoted at 18 and it is also vertical and constitutes an end wall and is of a width less than one-half the width of the first wall 10. The edge 20 is spaced from the wall A to provide an entrance-exit opening as at 22. The threewalled enclosure space for the overall ready-to-use unit is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 24.

It will be noted that all of these cooperating integrated walls 6, l0, l6 and 18 are provided with centrallized reinforcing wire or equivalent fabric which is denoted, generally stated, by the numeral 26 in FIG. 3.

The first end wall 10 and also the third wall 18 is of the construction detailed in FIG. 4. This is to say each upper edge portion of the wall is provided at a predetermined point with an upwardly opening readily accessible clearance notch 28. This notch serves to accommodate an accessible anchoring eye 30 on bolt means each of which is here designated as a J- shaped eyebolt. The .l-shaped portion or shank 32 is embedded in the concrete as detailed in FIG. 4 so that the eye 30, which is of suitable diameter, will be accessible in the clearance notch 28.

The eyes 30 of the embedded J-bolts 3?. serve a double purpose. Primarily they serve as lifting means for unloading. For example, when delivering the enclosure unit the supplier would have on hand his own hoisting and handling apparatus (not shown) to be temporarily hitched to the respective eyes 30, more particularly, an apparatus including a spreader bar (not shown) to ensure that no bending moment could be engendered in the walls and 18 during the lifting, handling and lowering steps. Then, and after the unit is lined up and finally set for use atop the prepared foundation 36, the recessed but accessible eyes 30 can be used to detachably fasten padlocks provided on the free ends of a requisite security chain 34. This chain can, if desired, be used to minimize loss or theft of garbage cans and lids by passing the chain through either a garbage can lifting handle and/or the garbage can lid lifting handgrip in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular. It should be added that when the security chain 34 is used to anchor the cans, the padlocks must be released and the chain detached by the tenant prior to pick up by the trash collectors.

It may also be added that the enclosure is proposed to be constructed in either a left-hand or right-hand module, the open end or exit facing the rear apartment door that it serves. The marginal edge of the bottom wall and abutment marginal edge 14 of the wall 10 coordinate in abutting the building wall with requisite nicety and certainty as shown in FIG. 1.

It is submitted that the prefabricated reinforced concrete unit will well serve the purposes for which it has been devised and effectually used. Accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What we claim as new is as follows:

1. For use on a small plot of ground adjacent a marginal edge of a backdoor stoop and a predetermined surface portion of a vertical building wall in a locale near said marginal edge and wherein said plot is provided with a suitably prepared foundation, a prefabricated portable open-top stall-like enclosure designed and adapted to accessibly support and substantially shield insertable and removable garbage and trash cans of a type having covers with customary handgrips'and coinprising a horizontal bottom wall of an area to b'e' seated and supportively anchored atop said foundation, said bottom wall having a flat can seating top surface, first, second and third companion walls of equal vertical height having lowerends which are exteriorly flush and united with predetermined but coacting marginal edges of said bottom wall, said first vertical wall constituting an end wall and having a free vertical abutment edge which is adapted to confront and abut an area of the aforementioned surface portion of said vertical buildingwall, that marginal edge of the bottom wall which is adjacent said building wall being free and in a plane flush with the plane of said vertical abutment edge and also being adapted to simultaneously abut the above-mentioned surface portion, said second wall being disposed at a right angle to said first wall and constituting a front wall and being parallel with and spaced from said building wall, and said third wall also constituting a second end wall which is at right angles to said front wall and is opposite said first end wall and is of a width appreciably less than the width of said first end wall and having a free vertical edge terminating in a plane shortof the plane of said vertical abutment edge and cooperating with all of said walls and defining an unobstructed entrance-exit opening, said opening being ofa size to facilitate in insertion and removal of the aforementioned cans, said enclosure being made of castreinforced concrete, the upper edges of said end walls being provided with upwardly opening notches, J-shaped eyebolts embedded in portions of said end walls in such a manner that the respectively useable eyes of said bolts are accessibly aligned with and confined within the limits of the oriented coordinating notches, said eyes being adapted to facilitate the use of such means as is required for lifting, handling, and lowering said enclosure for transportation as well as installation purposes.

2. The structure defined in and according to claim 1, and, in

combination, a security chain for the lids of said cans, said chain being light in weight and of a predetermined length to span the open top of the enclosure and having free ends provided with locks which are adapted to be releasably joined with their respectively cooperable eyes, if and when desired. 

1. For use on a small plot of ground adjacent a marginal edge of a backdoor stoop and a predetermined surface portion of a vertical building wall in a locale near said marginal edge and wherein said plot is provided with a suitably prepared foundation, a prefabricated portable open-top stall-like enclosure designed and adapted to accessibly support and substantially shield insertable and removable garbage and trash cans of a type having covers with customary handgrips and comprising a horizontal bottom wall of an area to be seated and supportively anchored atop said foundation, said bottom wall having a flat can seating top surface, first, second and third companion walls of equal vertical height having lower ends which are exteriorly flush and united with predetermined but coacting marginal edges of said bottom wall, said first vertical wall constituting an end wall and having a free vertical abutment edge which is adapted to confront and abut an area of the aforementioned surface portion of said vertical building wall, that marginal edge of the bottom wall which is adjacent said building wall being free and in a plane flush with the plane of said vertical abutment edge and also being adapted to simultaneously abut the above-mentioned surface portion, said second wall being disposed at a right angle to said first wall and constituting a front wall and being parallel with and spaced from said building wall, and said third wall also constituting a second end wall which is at right angles to said front wall and is opposite said first end wall and is of a width appreciably less than the width of said first end wall and having a free vertical edge terminating in a plane short of the plane of said vertical abutment edge and cooperating with all of said walls and defining an unobstructed entrance-exit opening, said opening being of a size to facilitate in insertion and removal of the aforementioned cans, said enclosure being made of cast-reinforced concrete, the upper edges of said end walls being provided with upwardly opening notches, J-shaped eyebolts embedded in portions of said end walls in such a manner that the respectively useable eyes of said bolts are accessibly aligned with and confined within the limits of the oriented coordinating notches, said eyes being adapted to facilitate the use of such means as is required for lifting, handling, and lowering said enclosure for transportation as well as installation purposes.
 2. The structure defined in and according to claim 1, and, in combination, a security chain for the lids of said cans, said chain being light in weight and of a predetermined length to span the open top of the enclosure and having free ends provided with locks which are adapted to be releasably joined with their respectively cooperable eyes, if and when desired. 